47. Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12 - Consultancy Services in ...

Transport and CommunicationsBox Item–2Draft National Transport Policy (NTP)To address the Transport Sector issues and implement government’s policies and strategies for sustainable growth,Ministry of Communications has prepared a draft National Transport Policy in consultation with all stakeholders. Itcovers all modes of transport sectors i.e. (i) Roads, (ii) Railways, (iii) Ports & Shipping and (iv) Aviation, NTP alsoincludes the National Transport Corridor Improvement Program (NTCIP) to make it more productive andenvironment friendly. The broad objective of the draft National Transport Policy are:To Provide safe, reliable, effective, efficient, affordable, accessible, sustainable and fullyintegrated transport system that will best meet the needs of freight & passenger access andmobility requirements and will be aimed at improving levels of service and cost effectiveness in afashion that supports governments goal of increasing public welfare through economic growth,and social improvement, poverty reduction and infrastructure and development while beingenvironmentally and economically sustainable and energy efficient.National Trade Corridor Improvement Programme“National Trade Corridor Improvement Programme (NTCIP)” has been launched in the country to revamp thewhole transport sector including ports, roads, railway, aviation etc. and a frame work to develop and improve theNorth South corridor has been formulated. The framework takes a holistic and integrated approach to reduce the costof doing business in Pakistan by improving the trade and transport logistics chain and bringing it up to keystandards. The strategy also takes into account the regional and domestic scenarios, particularly with respect to rail,road and shipping sub-sectors, enhancing regional connectivity to improve links with the Central Asian States,China, Iran, Afghanistan and India. With the development of the North-South and East West trade links, energy andindustrial corridors with these states would also be developed.Progress on Studies in 2011-12 Study on Aviation Safety Audit by Civil Aviation Authority/Ministry of Defence has been completed Work is underway for preparing a Ports Master Plan by the Ministry of Ports & Shipping with the help ofinternational consultants. Study on Financial Restructuring of Pakistan Railways is ongoing while consultancy firm is being hired forpreparation of Pre-Feasibility of Peshawar-Jalalabad Railway Link Pakistan Railways Revitalization Strategy (PRRS) has been prepared for the approval of Cabinet The Trucking Policy approved in October 2007 is being updated Procurement of consultants is on fast track for preparing an “Implementation Strategy” for the Trucking Policy.13.5 CommunicationsThe 21 st century can safely be named the ITCentury as no institution can run without the helpof IT in the future. The advancement of IT hasbrought enormous benefits to individuals,businesses and organization. The world hasdeveloped into an information economy and theapplication of new technologies has become thecenterpiece of activities.Rapid development of Information andCommunication Technology (ICT) infrastructureand its adoption is now a prerequisite for makingnational progress in the economy and in daily lifeas well. Modernization and development oftelecom infrastructure has been correlated withincrease in economic activities. The InformationTechnology (IT) revolution is probably the mostimportant force shaping communities today.183